The Phillies are back to .500! Normally a mediocre record wouldn’t cause this much excitement, but the fact is that the Phillies are just four games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the Wild Card. There’s still hope! The Phillies will try to sweep the Marlins today and make it seven straight wins.

Josh Johnson’s ERA might not be as low as it was in 2010 (2.30), but he’s still a tough pitcher, even with the injuries he has suffered.Cliff Lee has been red hot, going 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his last five starts.

Your gameday beer: Pyramid Amber Weizen Ale

An amber ale with a lot of the characteristics you would find in an unfiltered wheat beer, such as Hoegaarden or Blue Moon. It’s maltier than a hefeweizen, not fruity, and has a smooth, caramel taste. Just the look of it is enticing, and it’s probably hard to find in these parts since it’s a microbrew out of Seattle, however, if you can find it, it’ll be worth your while. — Pat Gallen

Sometimes I’m more patient than others with Mini. When he gets to play for a stretch, you see him giving his best effort, and there’s a tendency to minimize the lack of talent. I have a suspicion he adds pretty well to the clubhouse mix, which I don’t dismiss as a non factor.

Tell ya what, these IMPORTANT games, I don’t mind Paps gunslinger show. I used to like that with the Red Sox, because you tended to watch their important games. In June, 10 out, and the world ending, it got on my nerves, but it’s kinda fun to watch him get stoked the last week or so.

Hope people understand that losing players even good contributers like Pence and Victorino can help.
I have been wanting a line up shake up for years.
Finaly because the team was so bad the GM was forced too.

The trades were made not because poor performance dictated them. They were made because two of the guys Vic and Blanton) were going to be free agents anyway, likely to sign elsewhere, and the other (Pence) would never be worth what he’d get in arbitration.

That’s not to say change isn’t good sometimes. I’ll save my judgement on the new players until next season.

Obviiusly the Phils read my Han Solo quote concerning odds. Lol. I’m loving the fire and groove we are in right now. Only 3.5 out with 19 to play! What sweet karma it would be to vault over the Cardnials and replicate what they did last season. Houston will be looking to play the spoiler, but I think the surging Phils have other plans. I’m with Lefty, I love the saves not the gunslinger show. Go Phils!

I am liking AFW saying how he likes the JRoll signing what a crack head. This last month the Phil’s are playing with heart and swagger. They have always thrived being underdogs and are showing it again loving the pen also. Where ate all the people who thought the guys we got for Cliff would Amont to nothing